Clothes pressing machine



Jan. 1943- r K. E. HALE CLOTHES PRESSING MACHINE I Filed April 29, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 5, 1943. I K. HALE 2,307,370

CLOTHES PRESSING MACHINE INVENTOR.

Kell n E. Hale.

' ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 5, 1 943. K. E. HALE CLQTHES PRESSING MACHINE Filed April 29, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet s \INVENTOR. Kellen Z. Hale;

BY j

-( 1 ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 5, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,307,370 CLOTHES PRESSING MACHINE Kellen E. Hale, Norwood, Ohio Application April 29, 1940, Serial N0. 332,229

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a garment pressing machine.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of the kind described in which the pressing and drying is accomplished in a single operation.

Another object is to provide a presser in which a forced draft or circulaton of air is created, during the pressing operation, through the machine and the garments held thereby.

Another object is the provision of a pressing machine in which the head is the stationary pressing member and the buck is the movable pressing member.

Another object is to provide a presser in which the head is formed with automatic heating and These and other objects are attained by the,

means described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a pressing machine of this invention, showing the device in pressing position.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the pressing machine, with the latter shown in non-pressing position.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but with the pressing parts in operative position.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the presser head.

Fig. 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken 'on line 1--'| of Fig. l.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view on line 88 vantages and entailed high initial cost and subsequent upkeep. Some of the reasons for these disadvantages may be given as: First, the fact that these machines have been steam pressing machines, for which a separate boiler and conduit system have been necessary utilized. The operation of the boiler is, of course, expensive and sometimes requires, in accordance with the law, the employment of an engineer or skilled person. It is necessary, in operating a steam apparatus of this kind, to start the boiler long before the working day commences in order to build up a proper head of steam. So far as the pressing machine itself is concerned, as is well known, this too has required a skilled person since it entails the use of various controls and simultaneous manipulation of the garments being pressed. It is obvious that unskilled persons cannot be employed for such work.

The work turned out by the machines ,ordinarily now used is often unsatisfactory because of the fact that the garments may be excessively dampened during the pressing operation and subjected to pressing members often provided with grid-like surfaces which weaken and break the fibers of the garments being pressed. After such operations, in addition, it is necessary to subject the garments to an adequate drying operation.

These and various other disadvantages which are well known in the field under discussion have been obviated by the means of the present invention, to which the following description appertains, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

The pressing machine comprises a frame I comprising a hollow base 2 and a hollow column 3 projecting upwardly from the rear of the base. The top of the column 3 extends forwardly as at 4 and has secured thereto, as at 5 (Fig. '7), a pressing head 6 which is stationary.

The base 2 has a table 1 attached to its top and supported by the braces 8. If desired, the ends of the table may be hinged as at 9, and provided with releasable support arms I0 whereby the table may be selectively extended. The forward portion of the table may have a hand bar H secured thereto.

The central portion of the table I is apertured as at I! (Fig. 2) and in this aperture the supporting members for a movable buck l3 are positioned. The means for supporting and operating the buck are detailed in Figs. 2, 3 and 8 and consist, briefly, of a treadle-operated lever system. This system may comprise a crank l4 pivotally mounted, as at l5, adjacent the bottom of the base 2 and'operating through a suitable I opening I6 therein. The outer end of the crank I4 is pivotally connected by a short link I! with a treadle bar !8 having a treadle l9 at its outer end. The inner end of the bar I8 is pivotally connected to a shaft 20 extending across an aperture 2| at the rear of the base 2 adjacent the bottom.

The upper portion of the hollow base 2 has a sleeve 22 positioned therein. The upper end of the sleeve is formed on opposite sides with an extension 23 and between these two extensions the lower end of a hollow arm 24 is pivotally mounted as at 25. The said lower end of the hollow arm 24 has secured thereto an ear 26. A link 21 has its upper end pivotally connected, as at 28, with said ear and its lower end pivotally connected, as at 29, with the inner end of the crank 14.

The buck l3, it will be seen, is mounted upon the upper end of the hollow arm 24. In order to provide a counterbalance, the pivotal connection 28 may have associated therewith the upper end of a shaft 36 which projects to the bottom of the base 2 and is there connected, as at 3|, with a crank 32 projecting outwardly from the aperture 2| and, intermediate its length, journalled upon the shaft 28. The outer end of the crank 32 has an adjustable weight 33 positioned thereon.

In order to maintain the buck 13 in horizontal position during operation of the machine, there is provided the stabilizing bar 34 having one end pivotally connected with the buck, as at 35, and the other end similarly connected, as at 36, to the top portion of the sleeve 22.

In operation, the treadle I9 is depressed by the foot of an operator and, through the lever and. linkage system described, the buck I3 is first swung arouately towards the rear of the machine until it comes into vertical alignment with the pressing head 6. slidable sleeve 22, and the associated connections, a final upward vertical movement of the buck 13 occurs, this movement constituting the pressing operation proper. At this time, the parts described assume the positions seen in Fig. 3.

The pressing machine of this invention is adapted to perform the operations of pressing and drying in a single movement of the machine, that is to say, by a single movement of the treadle l9. portion of the hollow column 3 has mounted therein a fan 37 adapted to be operated by an electric motor 38 (Fig. 1). Beneath the fan chamber a liquid reservoir 39 is formed. A pump 48 may be mounted in the fan chamber, having connected therewith an intake conduit 4| and a return conduit 42 projecting into the reservoir 39. The pump may be operated from the motor 38 by a suitable connection 49 (Figs. 2 and 3). From the pump there proceeds upwardly through the hollow column 3 a liquid supply line 43.

Reference will now be made more specifically to Figs. 4 and '7. It will be seen that the head supporting end of the column 3 is formed to provide a switch and valve receptacle 44 having a removable front cover 45 (Figs. 1 and 2).

The head end of the column is then further developed, as at 46, to form supporting portions for a sheet metal casing 41 (Figs. 4 and 7) constituting the top of the pressing head 6. The head 6 is further formed with downwardly extending side walls 50 and the interior of the chambered head thus formed is provided with suitable insulation lining 48. In the head 6 there is positioned a humidifier i which, as seen Thereafter, due to the;

For this purpose, the bottom;

in Figs. 4 and '7, comprises a perforate tube 52 wound about with a material such as asbestos cord 53. This winding likewise embraces a moisture sensitive actuator or humidity control thermostat indicated at 54. In the switch and valve receptacle 44 a solenoid 55 is located which constitutes a Valve controlling the supply of moisture to the humidifier 5| through the previously mentioned tube 43, which tube therefore extends into the receptacle 44 and is there associated with the solenoid 55. The moisture supply line from the solenoid to the humidifier 5| is indicated at 51. The opposite end of the humidifier has the end of the moisture return line 56 connected therewith, this line, as shown in Fig. 4, proceeding to the switch receptacle 44, from whence the line extends, as seen in Fig. 2 at 58, downwardly through the column 3 to the pump 40.

The switch receptacle 44 likewise contains the main electrical switch 59 controlling the motor 38 and the pump 40. The front panel 45 of the receptacle 44, as seen in Fig. 1, has the main switch actuator 60 positioned thereon. It will be noted in Fig. 4 that the humidifier control 54 is electrically connected, as at 6|, 62 and 63, with the solenoid 55 and the main switch 59, and that, on the front panel 45, a switch actuator 64 is provided for cutting out the humidifier at such times as the action of the latter is not desired, by means of switch 96.

The present invention provides means for electrically heating the pressing head 6. These means are seen in Figs. 4-7 and comprise a gridlike heating element 65 comprising longitudinally extending rods 66 interconnected at the ends as at 6'! (Fig. 6) and having their ends supported by an inverted shallow dish-like member 68 (Fig. 7) which in turn is secured upon the inner face of a plate 69 extending across the open bottom of the head 6 and secured at its edges to the inner faces of the sides 50 of the head. The heating element 65 is electrically connected, as at 10 and 1| (Fig. 4), with the switch 12 positioned in the switch receptacle 44 and this switch in turn is controlled from the panel 45 of said receptacle by the control 13. Suitable electrical resistance means are provided in the switch 12 for heating the element 65 to a selected extent. For example, at one setting of the switch 13, one or two of the longitudinal heating rods 66 are includedin the circuit; under another setting, two or more of the said rods 66 are included; and under a third setting, the remainder of the rods may be included, all depending on the amount of heat required in the head in accordance with the'type of material being pressed, as will be further described.

The upper plate or member 68 in the head, which, with the lower plate 69, encloses the heating element 65, is provided with perforations l4 and lower plate 69 is also provided with perforations l5 disaligned with the perforations l4 thereabove.

The pressing head 6 is provided'with a pressing surface formed by the covering plate'16 (Figs. 5 and 7) which is a resilient sheet metal member having its side portions turned and curled, as at 11, and engaging and attached to the sides 50 of the pressing head (Fig. 7). This covering plate '16 is vertically movable relative to the pressing head and has secured thereto a number of pins 18 extending upwardly into the head and passing slidably' through the'lower plate 69 and the upper member 68. Theupper endsiofthe pins 18 have secured thereto a valveflplate" 19 I adapted, in the inoperative position of the head,

to be disposed flat upon the member 68, thereby shutting off communication ofthe perforations I4 and likewise of the perforations with the interior of the pressing head. In theoperation of the head, as seen in Fig. '7, the plate 19 is raised above the member 68 by upward movement of the covering plate 16, already described, and to which the pins 18 are secured.

The lower ends of the pins I8 may be formed with annular flanges positioned between .the

covering plate 16 and the lower plate 69 to provide for passage of air between thesemembers.

It should be noted that the covering plate 16 (Fig. 7) is likewise provided with perforations 8| whereby the heat and humidity-carrying. draft from the head 6 is dispersed throughout the pressing surface of the head. The covering plate 16 normally has a pressing cloth,9'l stretched thereover.

The buck I3 (Fig. '7) may consist of a plate 82 having upturned flanged edges 83, the upper edges of the flanges being inwardly beaded, as at 84. Plate 82 carries suitable, non-packing, porous, filling material 85 and the latter is covered by a pressing cloth 86 whose edges are removably secured betweenthe beaded edge 84 of the buck and a spring strip 87 snapped into position beneath said bead. It is apparent that other means may be substituted for the filling material 85, such for example, as coil springs or the like.

The buck, as seen in Figs. '7 and 9, is formed with a central aperture 88 in its bottom plate 82 and this opening communicates with the hollow support arm 24 to which the buck is pivotally attached, such as by the shaft 89. The central portions of this shaft may be slotted, as at 90, to facilitate passage of the air draft through the hollow arm 24. The passage through the hollow arm 24 is continued back to the fan housing by means of a suitable flexible conduit 9| (Fig. 1), the upper end of which conduit may communicate with the hollow arm 24 adjacent the lower end of the latter, as at 92 (Fig. 2) the lower end of the tube 9! being suitably connected with-the fan housing.

Two more details of the machine, disclosed at the rear thereof in Figs. 2 and 3, may be here noted: an excess air pressure valve 93 associated with the column 3 and an electrical connection 94 for the motor 38 and the switch 12, and adapted to be connected with a source of electrical current.

Operation of the clothes pressing machine is as follows:

The plug 94 is connected with the current supply. Thereafter, the main switch 60 on the panel 45, as well as the heating element switch 13 and the humidity control switch 54, are turned on, presuming that the machine is to be used for the usual pressing operation. The fan 31 creates a positive pressure or draft of air upwardly through the column 3 and into the head 6. The egress of air, however, from the head is at this time precluded by the valve plate 19, previously described.

, At the same time the heating element 65 is, within a fraction of time, brought up to its desired heat limit as determined by the positioning of the switch 13. An average temperature might be 350-400. The operation of the pump 40 results in drawing of moisture from the receptacle 39 upwardly through the tube 43 in the column 3 and thereafter past the solenoid 55 into its supply connection 56 leading to the humidifier 5!. The solenoid 55 is at this time opened for the supply of moisture to the humidifier. The

moisture is passed outwardly from the humidifier through the apertures in the tube 52 and permeates the winding 53. The evaporation of moisture from the winding into the heated air of the head results in humidifying the latter interiorly. The supply of moisture to the humidifier continues and a humidity balance between the winding 53 and the surrounding air is maintained. When the proper moisture absorption point in said winding is passed, the moisture sensitive control 54 on the humidifier operates to reverse the solenoid 55 so-that the supply of moisture through the line 51 is cut off and the return lines 56 and 58 are opened for returning moisture into the reservoir 39 through the outlet 42 therein.

The operator places a garment upon the buck I3 and operates the treadle IS with his foot; whereupon, the buck moves arcuately from the position seen in Fig. 2 to that seen in Fig. 3, that is to say, into pressing relation with the head '6. The final upward vertical movement of the buck represents the actual pressing motion and'at this time, vas seen in Fig. '7, the resilient covering plate 3! is pressed upwardly or inwardly of the head 5, whereby the valve plate'HJ within the head is raised from its closed position. The draft of air proceeding upwardly from the fan through column 3 now passes through the several sets of perforations M, 15 and 8! of the members '58, 59 and '15, respectively. Steam created by the vaporized moisture within the head is thus carried through the garment disposed on the buckrifi. At the same time the fan 3'! operates to create an inward pressure or suction of air through the hollow arm 24, the flexible connection 9i, and back to the fan housing. After the brief interval required for the pressing operation, the buckis swung away from the head and the valve plate 19 in the latter shuts off the further emission of the conditioned draft therefrom, and should the air pressure become excessive, the valve 93 moves from its closed position, as seen in. Fig.3, to the open position shown in Fig. 2. .1

The suction of air continues through the buck and its connections 24 and BI and this suction results, in a very brief interval of time, in the drying of the garment so that the latter may be taken off in a finished condition without the necessity of subsequent drying operations.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the conditioning of the machine for use, as well as the actual use of the machine, is a matter of fractional periods of time, as compared with apparatus and usage heretofore known. The pressing operation, requiring nothing more than the actuation of the treadle l9, leaves both hands of the operator free to manipulate the garment being pressed so that the pressing may be done by unskilled persons. The proper adjustment of the counterweight 33 (Figs. 2 and 3) makes possible the operation of the treadle l9 with a minimum of effort. It should be observed that the movement of the buck 13 rather than of the pressing head 6 obviates the damage that might otherwise 5 result to the various parts in and associated with the head.

Modifications suggest themselves upon consideration of the means herein disclosed but these are believed to be comprised within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: w 1. In a clothespressing machine, the combination of a buck, a head comprising a chambered body, a humidifier in said body, a moisture supply and means for conducting moisture to the humidifier, a moisture-sensitive control associated with the humidifier for controlling the supply of moisture to the humidifier, and means for passing a draft of air through the head and clothes normally disposed therebeneath during the pressing operation.

2. In a clothes pressing machine, the combination of a pressing head, a buck, means for bringing the head and buck together in pressing relation, one of said members being formed with a chambered interior, and a pressing surface on said chambered member consisting of resilient sheet metal extended across and closing the chamber of said pressing member and having its edge portions extending beyond and curled about the adjacent side portions of the chambered pressing member, the pressing surface so formed being adapted to yield to the pressure of the cooperating pressing member urged thereagainst and to spring back to original position thereafter.

3. In a clothes pressing machine, a buck, a pressing head comprising an interiorly chambered body, a perforate plate mounted in the body in fixed relation therewith, a covering plate on the body and mounted for vertical movement relative thereto, said covering plate being formed with perforations disaligned with those of said first plate, means for passing a draft of air through said body to be dispersed outwardly thereof by virtue of said perforate plates, a valve plate in the body and adapted normally to be disposed upon said first plate to preclude passage of air through the perforations thereof, and means for raising the valve plate upon inward movement of the covering plate.

4. In a clothes pressing machine, the combination of a buck, a head comprising a chambered body, a humidifier in said body, a moisture supply and means for conducting moisture to the humidifier, a valve controlling said supply, and a valve actuator operative upon attainment of low and high moisture conditions within the head for respectively opening and closing said valve.

5. In azclothes pressing machine, a buck, a head comprising an interiorly-chambered body, a perforateplate'fixed in said body, a perforate covering plate on said body and mounted for movement inwardly and outwardly of said chambered interior, means for passing a fiuid draft through said body to be dispersed outwardly thereof by virtue of said perforate plates, a valve plate in the body positioned inwardly of said first perforate plate andadapted normally to be disposed thereupon for closing the perforations thereof, and .means for raising the valve plate upon inward movement of said covering plate.

6. In a clothes pressing machine, a buck, a head comprising an interiorly-chambered body, a perforate plate fixed in said body, a perforate covering plate on said body and mounted for movement inwardly and outwardly of said chambered interior, means for passing a fluid draft through said body to be dispersed outwardly thereof by virtue of said perforate plates, a valve plate in the body positioned inwardly of said first perforate plate and adapted normally to be disposed thereupon for closing the perforations thereof, spacing means between said two perforate plates, and means for raising the valve plate upon inward movement of said covering plate.

7. The combination with clothes pressing equipment comprising a chambered head, of a humidifier in said head, a moisture supply and means for conducting moisture to the humidifier, a valve controlling said supply, and a valve actuator operative in response to attainment of low and high moisture conditions within the head for respectively opening and closing said valve.

8. In a clothes pressing machine, the combination of a head and buck and support means therefor, means for disposing the head and buck in pressing relation, means for generating steam in one of said members, means for creating an outward pressure of air through the member wherein steam is generated and an inward pressure or suction through the other member during the pressing operation, and means for curtailing generation of steam in said one member in response to attainment of a predetermined limit of moisture therein.

KELLEN E. HALE. 

